Abnegate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈab-ni-ˌgāt/ ab·ne·gate

Meaning & Definition of Abnegate

Abnegate (verb)

  1. deny, renounce
  2. surrender, relinquish

Abnegate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give up (as a position of authority) formally

    "abnegated all claims to the deceased lord's domain"

    similar: abdicate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from), surrender
    related: abjure, demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive, forsake, give up, hand over, yield, abandon, desert, quit, vacate
    near: appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate, seize, take over, usurp, wrest, defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure

  2. to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

    "felt that if the Congress adopted these security measures, it would be abnegating the nation's fundamental commitment to individual rights"

    similar: abjure, forswear, recant, renege, renounce, repeal, repudiate, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw
    related: contradict, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, abandon, bolt, forsake, give up, relinquish, spurn, surrender, controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute, back down, back off, backtrack, disallow, recall, revoke
    opposite: adhere (to)
    near: acknowledge, admit, affirm, assert, avow, claim, contend, declare, maintain, proclaim, profess, state, vouch, vow, back, confirm, defend, endorse, espouse, support, uphold, accept, adopt, embrace

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abnegate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abnegate:

abdicate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from), surrender, abjure, forswear, recant, renege, repeal, repudiate, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Abnegate

Words with the opposite meaning of Abnegate:

adhere (to)

Related Words for Abnegate

demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive, forsake, give up, hand over, yield, abandon, desert, quit, vacate, contradict, gainsay, negate, negative, bolt, spurn, controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute, back down, back off, backtrack, disallow

Near Antonyms of Abnegate

appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate, seize, take over, usurp, wrest, defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure, acknowledge, admit, affirm, assert, avow, contend, declare, maintain, proclaim, profess, state, vouch, vow, back, confirm, endorse

Word Forms of Abnegate

Inflections: abnegated, abnegating

Derived words: abnegator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Abnegate

borrowed from Latin abnegātus, past participle of abnegāre "to refute, decline, deny," from ab- ab- + negāre "to say no, deny" negate

First known use: 1543

Frequently Asked Questions about Abnegate

What does "Abnegate" mean?

"Abnegate" means deny, renounce. As a verb, it is defined as: deny, renounce. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Abnegate"?

Other words for "Abnegate" include abdicate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from) and surrender. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abnegate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abnegate"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abnegate". Common alternatives include abdicate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), step down (from), surrender, abjure and forswear.

What is the opposite of "Abnegate"?

Antonyms of "Abnegate" include adhere (to). Near antonyms include appropriate, arrogate, assume and claim.

How do you use "Abnegate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abnegate" in a sentence: "abnegated all claims to the deceased lord's domain"; "felt that if the Congress adopted these security measures, it would be abnegating the nation's fundamental commitment to individual rights".

Is "Abnegate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abnegate" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Abnegate"?

"Abnegate" is pronounced /ˈab-ni-ˌgāt/ and divided into syllables as ab·ne·gate.

What is the origin of the word "Abnegate"?

"Abnegate" comes from borrowed from Latin abnegātus, past participle of abnegāre "to refute, decline, deny," from ab- ab- + negāre "to say no, deny" negate. First known use: 1543.